Ventilator



Dec. 14, 1926. 1,611,005

MAc DouGALD DEXTER VENTI LATOR Filed Oct. 25, 1924 vio i Patented Dec. 14, 192e. f

'UNITED STATES rar-ENT., ersten MAenoUeALn nEx'rEn, o E cLUMBUs, GEORGIA, .Assioma ro DEXTER vnn'rnlaron comm, A conronarron or esonera.

vENrrLa'ron Y Application mea' october 25, ieee. serial no. 'matta My invention relates to ventilators, and particularly t roofl ventilators wherein it is desired, at the least possible expense and without detraction from the architectural eiect of a building, to afford the maximum (controllable ventilation and at the same time complete protection against access of rain or water through the ventilator intothe build- More particularly, my invention contemplates a novel and eiectivefarrangement of baiiies relative to a roof opening which are so disposed relative to such o ening and to each other that'direct access o rain or water is prevented while the outilowof air is obstructed toas small an extent as is possible. It is a further advantage o my improved ventilator that the bellies are so arranged as to be unaffected bythe action of Wind except in so far as itmay be desirable to utilize the wind action 'to accelerate the outiow of air through the ventilator by an aspirating 'ef- "fect auxiliary to the natural draft induced bythe heat within 'the ventilated compartment. M invention is especially concerned with the esign and construction of the ventilators to be applied to the ridges or high points ot roofs or associated withv` the arapet walls 1*-0 at the high points of Hat pito roofs, such ventilators beingxn designed to conceal from view the presence of the Ventilating opening through the roofandto conform to the ridge or-roof treatment so as not to attract notice. My invention lfurther contemplates the combination with one baille from each pitch of the roof and partly over anging an A yunderbalile disposed'to shed the rain from i,

the ventilatin opening. Infmy-preferred rection asthe' roof they' overhang, and the outer balile or` bellies are spaced-from" the roof openin and the underbaievso as not to restrict t e rising outo'w of air through are attained whe'nvthe inner-and outer bames, correlated as above described, are so mount? ed on the roof as' t'oprevent the' free access i of air `currentsalmgthe roof to the space between the bellies. c i' My invention further contemplates the arranging o the-outer baiile or bames with outlet ports provided between the bottom edge thereof and the roof so that the water shed'from the underbaiile may drain oil' and arrangement t e'baiiles slope in the'same di'.

the ventilator. The objects .of my inventionl such wind that makes its way through the restricted drain ports will not interfere with the contemplated functioningvof the ventilator, nor will it be of sufficient volume and force to blow any of the Water, seeking to eo escape throu h the drain ports, into the root opening. Wever, in ordinary practice, these openings are merely ot such size as to drain the ventilator, the main aspirating-etfeet being obtained from the concurrent dow of the deflected wind with the air current or currents `as they escape fronrthe ventilator.

My invention further comprises the novel dtails of construction and arrangements ot parts, which are hereinafter more particu- ,70' larlyA described and claimed, their preferred embodiments only being illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which )Figf 1 is a perspective view through a 75 ridge ventilator employing curved baes and showing the damper in open osition.

Fig.. 2 is a partial longitudinal crosssectional view through the ventilator shown in Fig. l, the full lines showingA the damper in open position and the dotted lines showing it in closed position.

Fig. 3 illustratesl a modified method of connecting the ventilator to the roof.,

Fig. 4 'is a cross-sectional View illustrat- 85 ing my ventilator in a single type form util# izing fiat bames and associated with the parapet wall to illustrate its use on a flat single pitch roof.

Similar reference numerals refer to siini-4 90 lar parts throughout the drawings. a Heretofore in designing ventilators, and articularly roof ventilators, the walls or 'ailles of theV ventilatorghave been so disposed and arranged as not only to impede the outward iow of hot air from the compartment to be ventilated', but in many cases r -tochave this'low directly opposed to and in eiect sto ped by the action otwind, This is particu arly true in the few attempts that have been made to produce ventilators of the ridge t pe which utilize a roof outlet openy nv of arge cross-sectional area and of consi erable extent, and for this rison'and perhaps also for the reason that practical means for regulating and closing such large ventilators have not been perfected, the same have notcome into general commercial use.

In my ventilator I have .sought to adhere tothe greatest 'simplicity in design to the U0.

end that it might be readily fabricated anywhere, easily and cheaply applied, and regulated by simple and inexpensive means which will accurately control the rateof air discharge to that desired for the correct ventilation of the interior of the building.

With these objects in view, I have illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2 my ridge type-ventilator. Here I show the roof comprising rafters 1 and sheathing 2, the latter being stopped short of the ridge so as to leave a Ventilating opening 3 having the width and length desired for the proper ventilation of the interior of the compartment to be ventilated. The ends of the rafters abut and are nailed together in accordance with the existing practice, or where ridge plate is used this is cut down between rafters so as not to impede the passage of air to the ventilator. The object 'of my ventilator is to protect suchk ridge opening from rain or wind while .permitting the free exhaust of air from the compartment below. To this end I provide on each side of and parallel with the ridge opening an outer baffle 4 which is preferably of ogce shape in croz's section and is mounted on the roof by means of brackets disposed at spaced intervals and having spaced upper legs riveted or spot welded to the upper edge of the outer baffles and their lower legs 5 bent down in opposite directions and underlying the bottom edge of uthe baffles which edge vis adapted to be riveted, bolted, or suitably. connected thereto. In the referred arrangement of my baille shown 1n Fig. 1, I connect each lower leg 5 of the bracket to a stamped-down portion 6 along the lower edge of its respective bale, such edge between these stampeddown portions being thereby held slightly raised above the roof covering 7 to provide drain outlets 8 for the water/falling in the ventilator. If desired the lower legs 5 of the brackets may rest upon a flashing strip 9 extending the length of the ventilator and preferably ybeyond the lower edge thereof, the upper edge of the ,flashing being upturned at '10 to stiffen the plate, assist in maintaining alignment in the ventilator, and to prevent the possibility of wind driving water falling on the'flashing upwardly over its edge. The lower edge of the flashing is bent down slightly to cause it to hug the roof tightly. The bracket which may be of any suitable'character is shown comprising legs 1l bent at right angles to the legs 5 and connected at their upper ends by an angled cross member 12. This serves to cross brace the brackets and to hold the baffles 4 in proper spaced relation.' The upper edge of each baille 4 is bent back under upon itself to form a pocketgl extending its full length and adapted to stiften that edge vof the bale. This pocket receives at intervals the upper bracket legs 14 which are riveted, spot welded or bolted thereto and to the cross bracket number 12. Before riv` eting the bracket elements together, thef ridge roll 15 of the roof, which forming the inner bale and `is preferably in the form of an inverted V-shaped member, is mounted on cross members l2 of the brackets and has its lower edges interposed between the bracket members l2 and 14 and connected rigidly in place by the rivets or bolts which assemble said members. This gives a very simple, inexpensive yet rigid structure.

It will be observed that the peakof the ridge roll 15 rises substantially above the upper edge of the baffles 4 and'that each side of its base is spaced approximately the same distance from the adjacent battle 4 that it is spaced fromF the adjacent side edge of the roof opening. By this arrangement the air has a passage of approximately constant minimum cross sectional area through which it flows in rounding the lower edges of the ridge roll and thus I provide a minimum of obstruction to the free outflow of air. It is to be observed that each lower edge of the ridge roll or inner baile projects substantially beyond a vertical plane through the adjacent side of the roof opening, this arrangement having for its object to protect the opening against direct access thereto of rain. Each lower edge of theridge roll also projects substantially beyond a plane conl necting the upper edge of the adjacent wind battle 4 and the adjacent side of the roof opening. However, the upper edge of the wind baiile 4 does not necessarily overhang the roof opening, it being only necessary that the ridge roll shall in vconjunction with the baffles 4 prevent'the possibility of wind driven slanting rain gaining access to the roof o ning.

los

In t e operation of my ventilator as thus described, the warm air from the compartment to be ventilated rises naturally to the ridge of the roof and thence'fiows freel out through the large roof opening. As 1t escapes from the opening it is divided and flows in o posite directions as currents which roun the edges of the-.rid e roll and pass upwardly along the ridge an escape to' the atmosphere. This provides a free escape for air with a minimum obstruction or friction from the passages and without any re- Vverse flow or downward deflection, and moreover when wind is blowing it will be defleeted upwardly `by the pitch of the roof and by the baille 4 so that it will flow over the top edge f the baffle 4 in a direction concurrent wit the outflow of air from the ventilator and it will thus act with an aspirating effect on the ventilator. Moreover,

due to the design and position of the ridge roll, the wind blowingfrom either side will ride over the lee side of the ridge roll in such Way as to aspirate the'outflow of air from that side also and thus the ventilator is of` the true aspira-ting type, regardless of the direction of wind flow. All rain or water falling through the openingsk between theridge roll and the 1oaies 4 will dow downwardly over the bottom edges of the ridge roll and will dropupon the flashing or roof and will pass freely` out through the open-` bolts 17 suitably connectedby links 18 which5 swing from the ridge roll overhead andare of such length as to permitthe damper when lowered to close the roof opening. vIn order to adjust the damper I connect to it near one end thereof a pull cord or chain 19 which is adapted to pull the damper. longitudinally and thus swing it on its supports which, being fixed overheath'will cause the damper to rise as it is moved longitudinally., In this very simple manner the outlio'w of Y air through the roof openingk can be regulated..l As shown the pull cord passes over a pulley` 20 at one end of the root opening which is overhung by the raised damper and I prefer# ably provide at least onevfusible link 21 in the pull cord which will tuse. under abnormal temperatures and permit theA damper to dropl automatically by gravity, to close the Ventilating opening and thus prevent draft .which would accelerate a conflagration. lWhere a long ridge ventilator is provided it is desirable to extend the cord for the greater portion of its length yso that the fusible links therein will more readily respondto local conditions. The ventilator has suitable end closures 22.

In'FigpS I s 1ow a means to avoid driving in nails orl stenings through the roofing material which is especially desirable where the ventilator is to be applied to slate,`

metal o1" tile roofs. Here wire fastenings 23 are passed around the brackets and drawn down through holes 31 in the flange 10 into the ventilator opening and secured to nails or the like 24 in the underside of the decking or sheathing.

In Fig. 4 I show the embodiment of lmy invention as a parapet ventilator for a single pitch roof 25 which at its high edge adjoins the parapet 26. Here I provide the ventilator opening 27 between the decking and parapet which is interrupted only byl the rafters. 'Extending parallel with the parapet and rising at an easy angle from the roof at a point `spaced from the opening 27 is the outer baille 28 -which in this embodiment is Yshown flat but which obviously may be curved as in Fig. 1. This baliie at its lower edge is provided with indented portions receiving tastenings to attach it to the roof. VIts lrpper .edge is bent back to form Til the locket and receive theupper ends of the brac ets` 29, which are mounted on lower brackets 30 attached to the roof. An inner bae 31 is provided which is connected along its upper edge in any suitable lmanner to the parapet and has its lower edge interposed between the brackets 29 and 30 and heldin place by their assembly rivets or bolts. This inner baille is shown fiat and inclined -substantially parallel with the outer ba'tile. If

,curved batlies arev used both would have a corresponding curvature. v y

jIhe ventilator thus' described in lelect constitutes one-halt of the ventilator as described in Fig. 1, inasmuch .as Ieach side lof thatventilator really functions independently of the other, except in that some protection'must be provided VonA the `opposite side of the roof opening from the baille 4 to take the placeot the parapet-in Fig. 4. Obviouse ly a damper could be arrangedfor the parapet ventilator/.in the'salney manneras de-r scribed in `.I*`ig. 2.V The operation of this ventilator is `the same as `that already described in 'that the lair currents lfrom the compartment ventilated `will rise continu-Y .ally and pass with an unobstructed .and unrestricted llow throughan' angle of approximatelylSO? about the lower' edge of the inner baie and hence escapeto the atmosphere. The wind deflected upl the outer baffle vwill dow concurrently .with the out flowing ventilation current and the wind deflected over-the parapet :from the opposite direction will pass over the ventilator also will function in all respects substantially as that described in Fig. l.

Obviously my imroved type of 'ventilator lends itself readilyto ybe harmoniously blended into architectural 'efects and adapted to any capacity desired, from'the ventilation of a small houseto thaty otlarge industrial buildings, andit can take the place of ridge roll or a deck mold, or co-.operate with a parapet wall. When I .refer to4 avenwith aspirating elect. so that the ventilatorv tilator as associated with a roof I meanto".

include any portion 'offthe covering of a. structure. It is obvious that the roof 7, yor the flashing v-strip 9, or both together, as'

shown, may have any pitch `from the almost horizontal type used on theilat roof shown in I Figure 4 through various intermediate angles of roof pitch to a substantially vertical type, such as wouldloccur in' a Vsaw tooth roof. Moreover, when I reiter' .to the baille 4 or 28) as rising tromthe roof, I mean merely to state that the `outer baille 'elements ,shall be so related 'to thereof that substantially roof can gain free access to the space within the ventilator. In other words, the outer baiiie will rise from the roof when so connectd therewith, either directly or indirectly, as to prevent aircurrents gainingaccess to the space within the ventilatorv except to a negligible extent through the restricted drainage ports provided to carry oil the rain water thatwould otherwise collectin the Ventilator and overflow into the root opening.

Though I have described with great particularity the details of the embodiment of `the-invention herein shown, it is not Ato be construed that I am :limited thereto, vas changes in" arrangement and substitution ot equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing rom`the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as'new and desire to secure-by Letters Patent, is

1. A Ventilator comprising, in combination, a roof having a Ventilating opening I lopening between the latter and the top of therethrough, an outer baiile incl-ined correspondingly` with the inclination of the un, derlying portion of the roof and rising rom the roof at a point s aced substantially from the adjacent side o the roof opening, and an inner baille interposed between the louter baille and vthe root` opening, -which inner bale is inclined to dispose its-lower edgel in position to overhang the adj acent side of the the first mentioned baille, meansl for the escape of water falling between the baffles, and means on the -side of the opening opposite the first mentioned baiiie' to deilect wind.

over the Ventilator.

2. Ventilating cover for a roof aperture comprising an inclined baie rising from the roof on each side of the roof aperturel and' inclined to correspond to the inclinatlon of Y the roof underlying Vit and rising from said roof at a substantial distance from the roof' aperture, in combination withv a ridge roll interposed between the upper. .edges of sald baiile and having its lower edges overhangf.l ing the sides of thereof aperture.

'3.' A ventilator for a roof ridge having an .aperture extendingalong the ridge, comprising a'ridge roll'raised above' saidapers ture to provide lateral outlets forYY the Ventilating currents and to cover said aperture vagainst the direct access of rain, `and' inclined bailies lspaced from and an'kingthe ridge roll and adapted to intercept accessof rain laterally into saidaperture and to defleet wind from passing underathe ridge roll,

there being outlets provided for the escape of water falling between the baies. A. 4. A Ventilating means according to claim 3, in which said flanking battles rise `from the roof at oints substantially spaced from the ventilatmg aperture and leave anl unrestricted passage forA the outflow of air currents around the'lower edges of the ridge roll.

5. A Ventilating cover for a roof aperture, comprising an inclined cover above the aperture which overhangs a side of same, a similarly inclined baie rising from the roof and extending to a point beyond a plane through the adjacent edges of the opening and cover, in combination with means on the opposite side of said aperture from said baffle to deflect the wind over the Ventilator and means for the escape of water falling 0n the cover.

6. yA Ventilating cover for roof aperture,

comprising a cover overhangmg the sides of the opening and substantially spaced therefrom, and 'oppositely inclined battles rising from. the root` and each having its upper edge disposed outsidefof and -above the adjacent edge of thev cover and extending be-. yond an inclined plane passing through the adjacent edges of the aperture and cover.

7. A Ventilating means -of the character described in claim 6, in combination with described-inclaim 5,1i-n combination with an upturned`flashing extending along the `side gfheaperture that is overhung by the' a e. Y

11. A ventilating'cover for a roof aperture comprising associated baiiles disposed to intercept the access .of rain while provid# lll! ing a circuitous constantlyl rising outlet pasi l sage for the Ventilating air current, in combination with adamper -having vswinging supports and adapted when-lowered to close thereof aperture, and means to swingsaid damper endwiseon its supports tojregulate the rate of 'outflow of the air ur'rent, sub-v stantially fas described.4

12. A'Ventilati'ng means of the charac-ten describedfin claim 11, in which the aperture is disposed in7 and extends substantially co- .extensive with,the roof lidge, andin which the means'to swing. the damper includes anoverhead pull connection extendingle portion.

ture, a cover element disposedI in space relation above and overhangingthe aperture,

figur' wise othedamper and vcomprising a fusible a Ventilating cover for-a .roof a reran inclined wind baille rising from .the roof in spaced relation witlnthe adjacent edge of the apertureand rising to a point beyond a plane connecting the adjacent edges of the aperture and cover, the lower edge of said baile having raised portions to provide water outlets between it and the j roof, and I neans on the opposite side of the aperture from said baiie to dellect wind over said cover.

14. A Ventilating means according to claim 13, in combination with brackets .mounted on the roof and adapted to brace the baille and cover, and attaching means for said brackets which fasten to the under side of the roof. f

15. A Ventilating cover' for a roof aperture comprising an inner baiiie disposed above the aperture and adapted to prevent rain falling vertically into the aperture, and

an outer baiile means rising to a level above l the adjacent side edge of the inner baille and disposed and adapted to prevent rain being driven at an incline under said inner baiile into said aperture and to deflect wind currents from owing freely under the inner baiiie into the ventilator, there being restricted outlets suitable for the escape of water falling between theY bailies.

16. A protector for a roof Ventilating opening, comprising an inner baiie overhangin the opening and adapted to prevent rain fa ling vertically thereinto, and lateral outer baffles rising from the roof and spaced from the inner bailie and roof opening and disposed to prevent rain falling at an in oline into said opening, there being restricted water escape ports at the base of the outer baffles adapted to carry ofi' rain falling between them'. y

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

- MAECDOUGALD DEXTER. 

